By IANS
New Delhi : Defence Minister A.K. Antony has ordered an enquiry into allegations that special clothing and food meant for soldiers deployed in high-altitude areas like the Siachen Glacier in Jammu and Kashmir has been pilfered and sold in the open market.
“The defence ministry has taken a serious view of a series of media reports alleging sale of gear meant for jawans in Siachen,” an official said Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Antony has ordered that the enquiry be completed expeditiously and a report submitted to him on the veracity of the allegations, as also details relating to those involved, the official added.
According to published reports, the pilferage was detected last month in the Leh-headquartered 14 Corps area when in a joint operation between the army and the Kashmir Police civilian shopkeepers in Chumathang and Nubra Valley were found selling specialised clothing and equipment like jackets, boots and parachutes, as also foodstuff meant for soldiers.
The police have registered 11 first information reports and arrested 31 people, including some shopkeepers, the reports said.
Further action has been stalled due to an apparent spat between the army and the state police.
The army says its intelligence apparatus had detected the scam and asked the police to investigate further. Now, the police are refusing to give out the names of the four or five army personnel involved, an officer has been quoted as saying.
The police has countered that the army was not cooperating in the investigation and was shying away from handing over for questioning some officers allegedly involved in the scam.
Soldiers serving in areas like the Siachen Glacier have a special place for Antony, and he has repeatedly said they should be provided the best of food and equipment.